Alphonse Semo

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government when Alphonse Semo, a convicted rapist of Congolese nationality, will be deported.

Baroness Neville-Jones: It is not possible under data protection legislation to discuss individual cases with parties with no connection to the person in question.
	Since the beginning of 2007, the UK Border Agency has removed in excess of 15,000 foreign national prisoners. The UK Border Agency seeks to deport from the United Kingdom foreign national offenders who meet the following criteria:
	a court recommendation;for non-European economic area nationals-a custodial sentence of 12 months or more either in one sentence, or as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years, or a custodial sentence of any length for a drug offence (an offence other than possession only); andfor EEA nationals-a custodial sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, violent or sexual crimes or a custodial sentence of 24 months or more for other offences.
	Deportation can be delayed in a number of ways, including making representations of a breach of human rights due to separation from a spouse. Foreign nationals who are served with a deportation notice have the right of appeal against the decision before the independent courts.

Asset Confiscation Orders

Lord Dear: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total value of asset confiscation orders imposed since April 2005.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total amount unpaid on asset confiscation orders since April 2005.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The best available information is provisional management information taken from the joint asset recovery database (JARD), which shows that, as of 4 June 2010, the value of confiscation orders imposed from 2005 to 2010 is £942.18 million.
	JARD also shows that, as of 4 June 2010, for asset confiscation orders the total amount unpaid is £603.17 million and the total amount paid is £401 million.
	The difference in figures is because the £942.18 million reflects only the total value of the original confiscation order imposed, while the amounts unpaid and paid also include additional interest charges imposed for late payment.

Chagos Islands

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to settle out of court in the case Chagos Islanders v the United Kingdom (Application 35622/04), to be considered by the European Court of Human Rights later this year.

Lord Howell of Guildford: On 15 January 2010, the registrar of the European Court of Human Rights was advised that the case brought by the Chagos Islanders was not considered suitable for friendly settlement as proposed by the applicants.

Chagos Islands

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in light of European Union funds for which the United Kingdom is eligible to apply to help with their resettlement, they will allow the Chagossians to return the Chagos Islands.

Lord Howell of Guildford: As an unpopulated territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory is not included in the list of recipients of European development fund territorial allocations. Such finance is designed to support economic and social development in populated territories.

Economy: National Debt

Lord Peston: To ask Her Majesty's Government which persons or bodies own the United Kingdom national debt; and what proportion of those are foreign.

Lord Sassoon: Statistical data on gilt holdings are published quarterly by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These data, which are subject to revision, combine overseas wholesale and overseas retail gilt holdings.
	The UK Debt Management Office (DMIO) also publishes the data in its quarterly review. The table below shows gilt holdings, by sector, as at 31 December 2009.
	
		
			  £ billion 
			 Local government 0.2 
			 Public corporations 1.3 
			 Banks 215.1 
			 Building societies 13.5 
			 Insurance companies and pension funds 253.8 
			 Other financial institutions 80.9 
			 Private non-financial companies 0.8 
			 Households 6.4 
			 Overseas 224.3 
			 Total 796.3 
		
	
	Source: Office for National Statistics
	The overseas holdings at 31 December 2009 were 28.2 per cent of the total holdings.

EU: UK Rebate

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take action to maintain the level of the United Kingdom's European Union rebate.

Lord Sassoon: The coalition agreement states that the Government will "strongly defend the UK's national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations". The UK abatement is necessary to ensure that the UK's contribution to the EU budget is fair. The abatement is enshrined in a European Council decision agreed by unanimity.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had about the humanitarian elements of the cargo intended for Gaza carried by ships recently detained by Israel; whether they will act to ensure that it reaches the people of Gaza; and whether they will request the assistance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in the matter.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK has had regular updates from the UN and others on how the humanitarian cargo from the flotilla is being handled. We understand that Israel offered to transfer some of the aid to Gaza but that Hamas refused to accept it.
	However, the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reports that five truckloads of the flotilla aid have now been distributed within Gaza, facilitated by the Palestinian Authority co-ordination committee.
	More widely, we continue, with our international partners, to call for changes to lift Gaza's closure, ensuring unfettered access to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza and to enable the reconstruction of homes and livelihoods and trade.

Health: Independent NHS Board

Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of establishing and running an independent NHS board to allocate resources and provide commissioning guidelines.

Earl Howe: The coalition agreement included a commitment to establish an independent National Health Service board to allocate resources and provide commissioning guidelines. The Government intend to bring forward at the earliest opportunity a health Bill, which will include provisions to establish the NHS board. An analysis of the costs and benefits of establishing the NHS board will be included within an impact assessment that will be published alongside the introduction of the Bill.

Health: Independent NHS Board

Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public sector employees would be involved in an independent NHS board to allocate resources and provide commissioning guidelines; and at what salaries they would be employed.

Earl Howe: It is not currently possible to determine what number of staff will be employed by the National Health Service board or the salaries at which they will be employed. The Government intend to bring forward at the earliest opportunity a health Bill, which will include provisions to establish the NHS board. These issues will be considered in the impact assessment that will be published alongside the introduction of the Bill.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will complete the review of detention of children in the asylum system.

Baroness Neville-Jones: In response to the Government's commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes, the UK Border Agency is undertaking a review and will be engaging with a range of experts and organisations. The review began its work on 1 June and aims to be ready to report in July.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the detention of children for immigration purposes has ceased; if not, how many children are being detained; and in which centres.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The Minister for Immigration recently announced a review into the detention of children for asylum purposes so that it can be brought to an end this summer. While the review is taking place, the current policies will continue and this means that sometimes families with children will be detained.
	The UK Border Agency's own management information indicates that on today's date the number of children detained solely under Immigration Act powers was five and that these were part of three families.

Marine Environment: Conservation Zones

The Duke of Montrose: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their programme for designating and establishing marine conservation zones under the Marine and Coastal Protection Act 2009; and what is their estimate of the initial cost.

Lord Henley: Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) have set up four regional projects to involve those with an interest in the sea to propose marine conservation zones (MCZs), including impact assessments. These regional projects are due to submit their final draft site selection proposals to the delivery partners by June 2011. These proposals, together with the formal advice from Natural England and the JNCC to Ministers, are due in autumn 2011. The Government's proposals will be subject to a public consultation, before Defra Ministers designate the sites in late 2012.
	The estimated cost of implementing the MCZ project between 2008-09 and 2011-12 is £8.8 million. This includes the costs for supporting and funding the regional projects, associated work by Natural England and the JNCC, supporting the Science Advisory Panel, which has been set up to provide independent expert advice throughout the site selection process, and commissioning research to provide evidence essential for decision-making.
	The ecosystem services framework used to underpin the Marine and Costal Access Act impact assessment estimated the benefit of this work, and similar work being carried out by the devolved Administrations, at between £750 million and £1.6 billion annually.

National Gulf Veterans and Families Association

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has received from Shaun Rusling of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association since taking office; what reply has been sent; and what action has been taken.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Deputy Prime Minister received a letter from Shaun Rusling of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association on 13 May 2010. In view of the issues raised, I have asked the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans to consider these issues and respond on my behalf.

National Lottery

Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to examine the case for a gross profits tax on the National Lottery.

Lord Sassoon: The coalition agreement states that the Government will examine the case for moving to a gross profits tax system for the National Lottery.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Office for Budget Responsibility was formally established; what legal form it takes; and how that ensures its independence.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Office for Budget Responsibility reports to and takes instructions from HM Treasury Ministers.

Lord Sassoon: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was set up on 17 May 2010 to operate on an interim basis for the emergency Budget. The interim OBR comprises a three-person independent Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), supported by a Civil Service secretariat. Its legal form is that the BRC members are appointed as advisers to the Treasury and the secretariat is part of the Treasury. Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the interim BRC, will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR, including its legal form.
	The terms of reference for the interim OBR, published on 8 June alongside a Written Ministerial Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out its relationship with HM Treasury Ministers and describe the interim OBR's independence. In particular, they make it clear that the independent BRC makes the key judgments underpinning forecasts and has discretion over what material is published. Copies are available in the Vote Office and have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the annual resource budget for the Office for Budget Responsibility.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what resources are available to the Office for Budget Responsibility to audit and form an independent view of the cost of the Government's expenditure proposals.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what resources will be available to the Office for Budget Responsibility to form a view of the economic and financial cost of public sector pension liabilities, and private finance initiative and similar contracts.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is funded from within HM Treasury's existing departmental budget.
	Sir Alan Budd, as chair of the interim Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC), will be advising the Chancellor on the arrangements for the permanent OBR. The annual resource budget for the office will depend on decisions on the basis of this advice.
	The interim BRC is supported by an eight-person Civil Service secretariat of economists and public finance experts. The interim OBR is drawing on additional resources from within the Treasury and other government departments.
	The terms of reference for the interim OBR, published on 8 June alongside a Written Ministerial Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, state that the Treasury will provide the interim OBR with full access to the data, analysis and resources necessary to fulfil its roles. Copies are available in the Vote Office and have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government where the offices of the Office for Budget Responsibility are located.

Lord Sassoon: The interim Office for Budget Responsibility is located in the Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards Road in London.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the terms of employment of the three named members of the Office for Budget Responsibility; and how many days per week they are required to work.

Lord Sassoon: The three members of the interim Budget Responsibility Committee have been appointed as independent advisers to the Treasury. They are paid a fixed fee for the services performed. At the moment, they are working full-time.

Pensions

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of civil servants pay into the nuvos pension scheme; what are the respective employee and employer contributions to that scheme; and what are the equivalent contribution rates to the classic Civil Service pension scheme.

Lord Freud: The Civil Service pension schemes are open to some non-civil servants from other publicly funded bodies. The split between these groups is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in 2008-09, 8 per cent of the active members of the Civil Service pension schemes were in the nuvos scheme.
	Employee contributions to the nuvos scheme are 3.5 per cent of pensionable pay. The equivalent employee contribution for members of the classic Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) is 1.5 per cent of pensionable pay.
	The employer contributions are as shown in the ASLC element of the table below. As you know, both the classic PCSPS and nuvos pension schemes are unfunded.
	The ASLC represents the cost of the pension building up for staff who are members of CSP schemes. The money goes directly to the Treasury; there is no "pensions pot". Pensions are paid out of taxation when they become due.
	
		
			 Rates for classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos members 
			 Salary band  ASLC %  
			 From 1 April 2009 From 1 April 2010 Up to 31 March 2010 From 1 April 2010 
			 Up to £20,500 and under Up to £21,000 and under 16.7 16.7 
			 £20,501 to £42,000 £21,001 to £43,000 18.8 18.8 
			 £42,001 to £72,000 £43,001 to £74,000 21.8 21.8 
			 £72,001 and over £74,001 and over 24.3 24.3 
			 Prison officers with reserved rights (pre-fresh start)  25.8 25.8 
		
	
	The actuaries determine the level of contributions that employers should make to meet the cost of providing the pensions. These are called accruing superannuation liability charges.
	Details of the percentage employer contributions payable and the approximate split of active membership between the classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos sections of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme are contained in Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts. The contribution information is included in the report of the Actuary and membership statistics in the report of the manager. Copies of the resource accounts for the years up to and including 2008-09 can be found in the Library.

Police: Complaints

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request a report from the chief constable of South Wales Police on why he did not take witness statements offered by members of the public and councillors regarding allegations of physical actions against residents inside the Old St Mellons Village Hall, Cardiff; whether they will request an investigation and report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary; whether they will request an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the reports in the Library of the House.

Baroness Neville-Jones: I understand from the chief constable of South Wales Police that on 21 March 2010 there was an incident at a partnership and community meeting that is subject to an ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to comment on the details of the case.
	The case is an operational matter for the South Wales Police and does not raise issues falling within the remit of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. If an individual is concerned about the behaviour or conduct of any police officer, they may make a complaint under the police complaints system, including directly to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.